Assassin's Doubt

"A hideout I made years ago when my cover was blown once... I had to stay here for a couple of days, so I've always kept it stocked. And yes, I've been exposed to it a couple of times... never was nice to me though." Hayden shrugged and stretched. He walked over to sit by Thomas. "Are you ok?"
 
Thomas nods and stretches his own arms with a nod. "Yeah, I think so. Just a bit tired. That's all." He smiles and pulls Alaster into a hug. "Anyway, thanks to you and this pup we're all okay. That might've gone a lot differently with just me in the room. I wonder who that guy was?"

Alaster barks and licks Thomas' cheek, and then stretches over to try and lick Hayden's.
 
"Probably works with my father... though I'm not sure. We made plenty of enemies stealing that roster." Hayden leaned over so Alaster could lick him. "Good job buddy." He pet the pup's head. "As long as I'm around, I'll do my best to protect you." Hayden told Thomas with a smile.
 
"We'll protect each other," Thomas promises softly. He smiles and gets back to his feet with a yawn. "How about we stay in a hotel tonight? I think we'd better steer clear of my place for a while."

Alaster yelps and rolls over onto his back, panting and wagging his tail as he tries to beg for one of the boys to pet him.
 
Hayden nodded in agreement, smiling. He gently pat Alaster's stomach before picking him up. "Let's go little guy." He grunted as he stood. "Maybe one closer downtown?" Hayden asked Thomas as he gently pet Alaster.
 
"I've got just the place," Thomas promises. "The old Lakeside Inn. You know, the one by the harbor. Barely anyone goes there any more. It should be nice and quiet," he adds. "Just one question - you ever met Mr. Cobblestone?"

Alaster happily squirms in Hayden's arms and gives him a few grateful licks.
 
Hayden continued petting Alaster. "No, who's he?" He asked, walking over to the ladder and climbing out, holding the pup in one arm.
 
Thomas chuckles and follows the pair up the ladder. "He runs the inn. He's a little bit . . . eccentric. And he has a fake glass eye with a jeweled iris. Whatever you do, don't mention his eye. It's worth a fortune, but he hates talking about it," he explains.
 
Hayden nodded. "Don't mention the eye, got it." He smiled. Not letting go of Alaster, he kept petting the pup as he held it, following Thomas after kicking the hatch shut. The hatch blended in well with the dirt since a bunch of dirt was glued to it.
 
At last, the pair arrives at the Lakeside Inn. Thomas pushes open the door and sets off a tiny brass bell. The man behind the counter jumps up, tilting his head and stooping over sideways to narrow his eyes at the boys. He's wearing a normal three piece suit, along with a tinfoil hat and sunglasses that are missing a lens. "Who are you two?" he asks. "Friend or foe?"

"Mr. Cobblestone, it's me. Detective Baker," Thomas says, waving. "And these are my friends, Hayden and Alaster."

"You say that now. How can I tell you're not aliens?" Mr. Cobblestone whispers as he inches closer.

It's all Thomas can do not to laugh. "Uh - how about your alien test? That usually works."

"Ah. Yes. Of course. I'll be right back, don't you dare move," Mr. Cobblestone adds, shuffling into a back room.
 
Hayden looked a little startled at the man's words, but simply stood close to Thomas, petting Alaster. "Good boy." He whispered softly. He shifted a little closer to Thomas. "Alien test?"
 
Thomas chuckles and holds back a snort. "I told you he's eccentric. He's convinced aliens are trying to take over his inn. You're not allergic to chocolate, are you?" he adds.

Alaster yips and wags his tail, giving Hayden a few comforting licks.
 
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"No, I'm not." Hayden smiled and continued petting Alaster. "That's kinda funny." He said, chuckling slightly before just stopping with a soft sigh. "It'll mean one more barrier if anyone tries to get to us though."
 
"Hey, don't worry. Mr. Cobblestone's a great guy," Thomas asks. "He's really sweet once he's convinced you're human. Oh, shhhh! Here he comes now."

Mr. Cobblestone shuffles back in with a raised eyebrow. "This will determine if you're telling the truth," he says, sliding two candy bars forward. "Eat them. One each. That's how I'll know you're not aliens."
 
Hayden nodded. Now he had to set Alaster down, not wanting the young pup to have any of the chocolate. "I don't want you getting sick buddy." He said softly and pat the pup's head. He then accepted the candy bar and easily took a bite. He looked to Thomas, then back to Mr. Cobblestone.
 
Mr. Cobblestone watches intently as both boys bite into the chocolate. Thomas' bar is gone in seconds. At last, the inn keeper huffs and nods. "All right, I suppose you're not aliens. Now, which room shall I get for you tonight?"

"What do you think, Hayden? A room by the pool, or one closer to the continental breakfast?" Thomas asks with a grin.
 
After a moment, Hayden finished off the candy bar. He made sure none was left on his hands or face before picking Alaster back up.
"I think one by the pool sounds good." He shrugged, not exactly sure which to choose. He smiled.
 
"Mm-hm, yes . . ." Mr. Cobblestone mumbles. He turns and sorts through his piles of keycards and papers, tossing a few metal keys aside. "Ah! Here we go. Room 321," he says with a smile. "Have you Any baggage to carry?"

"I don't think so. You have anything, Hayden?" Thomas asks, tilting his head.
 
Hayden shook his head. "Nope. No baggage." He said as he held Alaster close, petting the pup softly. He stayed close to Thomas still, wary of any possible danger. As long as he could, he wouldn't let anything hurt the detective.
 
"Great, come on! Let's get going. I want to show you the pool," Thomas says, tugging on Hayden's wrist to try and pull him towards the elevator.

After they've gotten settled in to the softly lit room with two beds, Thomas grabs a swimsuit out of the dresser and nods to Hayden. "I'm one of Mr. Cobblestone's best customers. He always reserves this room for me, so I keep a few extra suits here. All clean, of course," he adds.
 
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